"A person's period of repairing and renewing his/her natural cells and joints and tissues..." Scientists have known for centuries that some animals are able to reproduce the body parts they have lost. Humans also have the ability to regenerate tissues link starfish and some reptiles. Although it cannot replace a severed finger, our bodies constantly regenerate our skin and blood.

In the scientific studies conducted in 1950s, systems that produce and renew cells in our bodies were examined and bone marrow transplantation was developed. In 1988, embryonic stem cells were kept alive in the laboratory for the first time. Then, instead of surgically placing artificial tissues into the organs of our bodies, studies on repair treatments with our own cells intensified. Various treatment methods have been developed since stem cells that generate new cells in our bodies were identified. Stem cells promise hope in many serious situations from cancer to diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, brain-neural system diseases and bone, muscle and joint diseases.

What are stem cells?Stem cells are the source of all the cells in our body. They are the main cells that make up all the tissues and organs in our body. These cells, which are not yet differentiated, have two important features.

1. Unlimited visibility and self-renewal

2. The ability to transform into different organs and tissues

The richest tissue among the stem cells that are hidden in many tissues in our bodies is the bone marrow. Today's technological advances enables these cells to be extensively obtained and transformed into cells with the characteristics of the tissue in the area they are placed in the body. Stem cells can transform into any other cell in an appropriate environment such as heart, lung, nerve, kidney, bone or cartilage cells. Studies on all tissues are continuing intensively. Treatments of certain tissues such as nerve cells are still in the experimental stage. However, stem cell applications in the bone, cartilage, skin and corneal diseases are accepted by the medical community as a safe and effective treatment method.

Osteoarthritis90% of the people aged 50 and more develop osteoarthritis (OA). OA frequently affects the loaded areas such as neck, waist, hip, knees, feet and thumb root joints. OA is formed by the loss of smooth surfaced cartilage tissue at the ends of the bones that make up the joint. The cartilage structure deteriorates, weakens and thins. Then bonelike protrusions called osteophytes are formed and deformities start in the joint. Over time, restrictions in joint movements begin with pain and functional difficulties in daily life (not being able to run, walk) develop. Total joint replacement surgery is required at the final stage.

Stem cell treatment in osteoarthritisIn OA, cell destruction in the cartilage is increased and chondrocytes that generate cartilage cells become insufficient. In this case, the chance of treatment arises with stem cells that can transform into chondrocytes which can reproduce cartilage. It was identified that after the fresh stem cells obtained from the bone marrow in adults are injected into the joint, they can transform into cartilage-generating chondrocytes. Since the cartilage tissue does not contain nerves or vessels, stem cells' transform into a one-type cell is sufficient. Clinical studies show that stem cells repair and thicken thinned and weakened cartilage in patients with OA. In this way, the joint is almos rejuvenated and the person becomes able to continue his/her daily life activities without the need for surgery. With the developments in stem cell therapy, it can be foreseen that there will soon be no need for joint replacement surgeries.

How are stem cells obtained from bone marrow and applied?The bone marrow is extracted with a short and simple surgical operation by the orthopedics specialist in a sterile operating room. After a local anesthesia performed on the upper back of the person's pelvis, rich bone marrow tissue is aspirated from 50-60 cc stem cells with a special needle. The person does not feel any serious pain during the operation due to local anesthesia. Stem cells in the bone marrow obtained are centrifuged with a special technique for decomposing. After centrifugation, the part of the bone marrow containing dense fresh stem cells is applied to the patient without waiting. In osteoarthritis, fresh stem cells are injected into the person's joint by the doctor. After that, in order to accelerate the production of cartilage cells by stem cells, the rich plasma obtained from the person's own thrombocyte from the blood can be added into the joint. The person returns to his/her daily life after injection but partial rest is recommended for a week. The joint should not be overused in this period and protected. The doctor may recommend using crutches or orthotics depending on the situation. Increase in joint pain and swelling may occur after injection. In such cases, no painkiller medicine except for simple analgesics (parasetamol) should be used and ice should not be applied. As they will have a negative effect on the stem cells, the success of the treatment will decrease.

In which cases it can be applied?In osteoarthritis (knee, hip, ankle, shoulder, hand)In non-setting fractures In avascular necrosis (hip, shoulder, knee, ankle) In meniscus, labrum tears In muscle-tendon tears

Whom can it not be applied to?People with obesity - fatness (people with body mass index above 30) People with advanced osteoarthritis and who lost their cartilage tissues in the joint People who use immunosuppressive medicineSide effects - complicationsThe infection risk is low due to sterile conditionsDoes not generate allergic reaction as it is the person's own tissueMild bleeding may occur in places of bone marrow aspiration or of injectionNerve damage may rarely occur during injection